These Children Orphans singing show,  
Though God's above, he dwells below,   

Who Clothes their backs and bellies feed,  
And gave them fathers in their need.   

These fathered fatherless, their Fathers bless,  
And warble forth their worth in thankful verse.   
 blazon or coat of arms  
 City of London coat of arms  

THe Epicureans say God takes no care,  
Nor yet regardeth how poor mortals fare,  
But being himself above all sense  
Of trouble, grief, and indigence;  
Enjoys himself, and can,  
No notice take of man  
Nor sees, nor hears,  
Their sighs or tears;  
Nor minds, nor yet condoles, mens joys or fears.   

That the light Lamps of Heaven know their way  
And beaten paths, from whence they cannot stray,  
The Planets march their wonted pace,  
Sun, Moon, and Stars, keep on their race  
From night to day, and then,  
From day to night again,  
Times come and go,  
Tides ebb and flow,  
Things round redowned, as days and years do show.   

Hold Atheist, stop thy mouth, proceed not thus,  
God's care o'th' poor blaspheme not, look on us,  
And recollect thyself, for we  
On dunghills drooped in misery,  
Had not Jehovah cared,  
How here poor mortals fared,  
We still had lain,  
Pining in pain,  
But now in plenty he doth us maintain.   

Repent of these thy thoughts vain man, behold  
How God by us, have these thy thoughts controlled,  
For living instances we are,  
That God for mortals poor takes care,  
And doth regard the cries,  
Of Orphans watery eyes,  
And sends relief  
From pain and grief,  
Who help and succour to the poor doth give.   

wandering we were from Heavens and earth's good ways  
In sin and idleness to spend our days,  
But now translated from that state  
Which led to lewdness, death, hell's gate,  
And in a hopeful way  
To live another day,  
When thankful we,  
Shall surely be,  
And London's mercy keep in memory.   

Blessed be the great PROTECTOR of the poor  
Whom fatherless admire, widows adore;  
Blessed be his 
a His Highness a special friend.  Vice Protector who  
Much favour did on us bestow,  
Our 
b Lord Mayor precedent.  precedent blessed be,  
And blessed his 
c John Cutler Esq Deputy President. Mr Thomas Read Treasurer.  Deputy,  
Lord bless them all  
Who hence forth shall  
Lend hearts, and hands, to rid the poor from thrall.   

God is the poor man's God, who doth express  
Himself the Father of the Fatherless,  
And men like Gods themselves appear,  
To whom poor Fatherless are dear,  
Whose works of Charity,  
He suffers not to die,  
What thus they spend  
To God they lend,  
Who will repay with glory in the end.   

This is the pure Religion, and this  
By God's appointment leads to lasting bliss;  
When Scarlet robes, and Golden chains  
Shall come to nothing, this remains,  
When creature comforts fail,  
Such works as these prevail,  
Most certainly  
Such seed shall be  
An Harvest lasting to eternity.   

You that have thus so well begun, go on,  
Finish your work, let no man take your crown,  
Such works as these their workmen bless;  
By spending thus, you shall increase,  
This is God's way of thriving,  
Thus give, and get by giving;  
What else you save  
Others may have;  
These works yourselves shall find beyond the grave.    

The Report of the governors of the Corporation for employing and relieving the Poor of this City of London, and Liberties thereof;  
THe said Corporation (through the Pious care and Assistance of the Lord Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of the City of London, and other well affected persons) do at the present maintain, and Educate about 100 poor Children in Learning, and Arts, whose Parents are either dead or not able to maintain them, aiming (according as ability by the good providence of God shall be administered) at the entertaining of some hundreds more; Moreover, there are many hundred of poor people and families employed by the said Corporation, the Manufactures of Spinning Hemp, Flax, and Tow, and Weaving of it into Cloth; And many hundreds more might be employed, in case they did not habituate and necessitate themselves to an idle course of life, none being refused or denied employment that will come for it, either to the Wardrobe near Blackfriars, or to Haiden-house in the Minories, belonging to the said Corporation. Towards the more effectual carrying on and accomplishing of which good work, so abundantly conducing to the glory of God, the honour of the Government of this City, (being presidential in this kind to the whole Nation) the prevention of many evils and Enormities, so abounding in that sort of people, and the eternal good of their Precious Souls: This Corporation earnestly desire the ready Concurrence and Assistance of the Magistrate, and Ministers of Justice of this City in causing the known Laws of this commonwealth to be put in Execution 
* 39 Eliz. 4. and 1 Jac. 7.  for suppressing of Vagrants, and common Beggars, able to work, who come in troops from the out parts of this City, and make it their constant practice, to spend the day time in Begging, and a great part of the nights in Drinking, and Revelling. And then repair to the City again for fresh supplies, to the great dishonour of this City, the scandal of Religion, and hindrance of the Charity of many Pious and well affected People towards this good work.   

Printed by James Flesher, Printer to the Honourable City of LONDON, 1655.